Chapter 340: Hall of Truth

Having just been attacked by the Light Society, everyone was on guard when summoned again on such short notice.

No one could guarantee whether someone had defected to the Light Society and was gathering everyone to wipe them out in one fell swoop.

Therefore, Xu Dejun set the location for this emergency meeting in an absolutely safe zone, a rarity in the Logic Realm.

The rules of an absolutely safe zone are similar to the Crimson Courtyard in the Wild Realm; players cannot harm each other within it, nor can they obstruct the actions of other players.

Even if one runs into an enemy, they can leave through the safe zone’s teleportation point without worrying about being cornered by the Light Society.

The benefit of meeting here is that everyone can speak without restraint; the downside is the lack of concealment, as they could be recognized by the Evolution Faction's informants, and it consumes the limited time allowed for staying in the safe zone.

The safe zones in the Logic Realm differ from those in the Wild Realm; each player can only stay for one day every fifteen days.

To enter at other times requires spending one thousand Decay Silver Coins, and the cost doubles for every additional day stayed, with the accumulated costs resetting monthly.

In the Wild Realm, Decay Silver Coins are merely a means to improve techniques and purchase items, but in the Logic Realm, they also represent safety and life.

For every Logic Realm player, time spent in a safe zone is extremely precious; unless necessary, they would not easily choose to stay there.

Wu Chang pulled the tracking coordinate from the top of Xu Dejun’s head, causing Xu Dejun to exit combat status so he could open the system shop.

Xu Dejun rented a two-person aircraft in the shop and called out to Wu Chang:

"Get on. The Logic Realm is not like the Wild Realm; it is even larger than most planes. We are not close to the safe zone, and it will take some time to get there."

As the aircraft traveled, the safe zone of the Logic Realm’s Crimson Courtyard gradually appeared in Wu Chang’s field of vision.

It was a city built of giant black and white stones, guarded by high walls.

In the center of the city stood a massive palace that reached straight into the sky; no matter where one was in the Logic Realm’s Crimson Courtyard, one could see the palace just by looking up.

The Crimson Courtyard runs through the four layers of the Abyss, and the courtyard in each layer has its own independent name.

When Wu Chang first entered the Wild Realm’s Crimson Courtyard, he had received official information mentioning that the Wild Realm’s Crimson Courtyard was named Mist Plaza.

The Logic Realm’s Crimson Courtyard is named the Hall of Truth.

The Hall of Truth refers to the massive palace in the center of the city that reaches the sky.

While the aircraft was still some distance from the safe zone, the control panel displayed that they had entered a restricted zone, and speed was strictly limited.

The area of the restricted zone alone was no less than that of a medium-sized city.

Wu Chang looked down; the so-called restricted zone looked like the ruins of a city, spreading outward in a radial pattern from the safe zone as the center.

Recalling the wilderness on the way here, one could also find some remnants of a city if they looked carefully.

A bold idea appeared in his mind, and he asked:

"The restricted zone, including the vast wilderness ahead—were these all safe zones in the Logic Realm before?"

Xu Dejun said: "As expected of Your Excellency Peace, your perception is indeed sharp. As you can see, these places were once all safe zones, but they have all been eroded by the Abyss and reduced to ruins."

Seeing that Wu Chang could ask this question, Xu Dejun realized that Wu Chang’s understanding of the Logic Realm was not deep, so he took the opportunity to explain.

"Your Excellency Peace, any level of dungeon outbreak in the Wild Realm causes a huge stir in reality. If a dungeon exceeds C-rank, the area eroded in reality is at least one city; in the eyes of those who care, it simply cannot be hidden."

"The C-rank dungeons of the Wild Realm are already this powerful, but have you ever heard of a Logic Realm dungeon outbreak eroding reality?"

Wu Chang shook his head; he had already noticed this issue.

It was not just the issue of the scope of influence that Xu Dejun mentioned; there is a plane barrier in reality that prevents Logic Realm players from returning to reality. Even those who can return to reality through the Pillar of the Present World cannot exceed level 45.

Level 45 might be enough to bully Wild Realm players, but it is not enough to face the erosion dungeons of the Logic Realm.

Unless Logic Realm dungeons do not break out, given the strength of players in reality, even one Logic Realm dungeon eroding reality would be a catastrophic disaster.

Xu Dejun continued:

"The biggest difference between the Logic Realm and the Wild Realm lies right here. Logic Realm dungeons also break out, but after they break out, they erode the safe zones of the Crimson Courtyard."

Xu Dejun expanded on the topic, telling him about the erosion dungeons of the Logic Realm.

The Logic Realm of the past was the same as the Wild Realm; all areas were safe zones.

At that time, even if Logic Realm players could not return to reality, they could live in the city without any worries.

But as dungeons broke out time after time, the safe zones continuously collapsed under the erosion of the dungeons.

At first, it was just a reduction in safe zones, and the lives of the players were unaffected. After all, the number of Logic Realm players is not as high as in the Wild Realm, and they did not need that much space.

Later, as more safe zones were lost, the Crimson Courtyard, in order to force players to clear the outbreak dungeons, restricted the time players could stay in the safe zones, forcing them to go out and fight the Abyssal erosion.

But the difference between the Logic Realm and the Wild Realm is also that Logic Realm players only need to look out for themselves.

When Wild Realm dungeons erode reality, Wild Realm players still need to rely on the existence of reality; whether to protect their city or family, or because of requirements from their country or organization, they must clear the erosion dungeons.

But in the Logic Realm, everyone is only responsible for themselves. Even if the safe zones are all eroded away, it is better than dying in the corner of an erosion dungeon for the sake of other players' living space.

Only players with extreme confidence in their own strength, or those filled with burning passion, would do such high-risk, low-reward work.

Just like that, as the safe zones continued to shrink, the time players could spend in the safe zones also decreased.

From being able to stay for twelve days every fifteen days, to ten days, to a week, and now to only one day every fifteen days.

Xu Dejun said bitterly: "If this continues, the free time to stay in the safe zone will be completely canceled."

Wu Chang clicked his tongue after hearing this. No wonder the Logic Realm and the Wild Realm had been at peace before, but recently suddenly started going crazy, thinking about making a move on the Wild Realm.

Previously, he learned that the Wild Realm was venting Abyssal erosion into the Logic Realm through world dungeons, and the third layer of the Abyss had sealed the passage, preventing the Abyssal erosion accumulated in the Logic Realm from being vented.

He knew the Logic Realm was caught between two worlds and had a harsh living environment, but he hadn't expected it to be this harsh.

Inside the Abyss game, one has to face dungeons, and after coming out of the dungeons, one has to face the Crimson Courtyard’s erosion dungeons. Few can withstand such a high-pressure living environment.

He sighed for a moment, then couldn't help but ask:

"According to what you said, the Logic Realm was once the same as the Wild Realm, and the current wilderness is all safe zones eroded by the Abyss. But in that wilderness where Heracles was hunting you, why didn't I feel the aura of an erosion dungeon?"

Xu Dejun sighed, "Because that place is completely dead."

He paused for a moment and began to explain what the death of a safe zone is.

Safe zones eroded by the Abyss are divided into three categories, using time cycles as the division; the interval between two world dungeons is one major cycle.

The first category of areas are safe zones eroded by the Abyss within one major cycle, which is the restricted zone they are currently in; these areas can still be saved.

As long as the erosion dungeon within the restricted zone is cleared, the area corresponding to the dungeon can be reversed back into a safe zone.

If the erosion dungeon cannot be cleared within one major cycle, the area is completely eroded and irreversible, but it can still be cleared.

At this point, if a player completes the dungeon clearance, they can turn the area into their own private space.

Private spaces have extremely high concealment and are relatively safe within; as long as they are not broken into by outsiders, hiding inside is relatively safe.

If it still cannot be cleared by the second major cycle, then upon entering the third major cycle, the erosion dungeon will fall into a runaway state.

Either the dungeon succeeds in its erosion, tearing a piece of space away from the Logic Realm and ascending to the third layer of the Abyss, or entering the middle layer;

Or the erosion fails, the erosion dungeon shatters, and all creatures within the dungeon plane, except for a few powerful existences, are wiped out.

But regardless of the result, the eroded dungeon area will be completely dead and turn into a pure wilderness.

The wilderness where Wu Chang saved Xu Dejun twice was transformed in this way.

After hearing Xu Dejun finish, Wu Chang looked at the restricted zone under his feet again, his gaze becoming complex.

Before long, after the world dungeon, this massive restricted zone will become an irreversible non-safe area.

In places he cannot see, a large number of erosion dungeons will again enter a runaway state, ascending, entering the middle layer, or shattering.

Compared to the Wild Realm, the Abyss of the Logic Realm has only just begun to bare its fangs.

Either evolve and move forward, or stagnate and die.

In Wu Chang’s silence, the aircraft passed through the restricted zone and entered the safe zone.

Wu Chang is not a Logic Realm player and had no free quota; Xu Dejun paid one thousand Decay Silver Coins for him before he could enter the safe zone.

The lack of space in the Logic Realm’s safe zone meant there were no official private spaces here; to discuss matters, they could only rent a private room similar to a tavern in a public area.

Xu Dejun added a time limit to the summons, requiring everyone to arrive within five hours.

The two did not wait long before all the members of the Order Faction who had participated in the meeting and provided a reply arrived.

According to Xu Dejun, there were thirty-three members at the original meeting, and most of them were middle and high-level members of the Logic Realm’s Order Faction.

In Xu Dejun’s self-deprecating words, their talent was limited, they could not awaken divinity, and most had not even reached the level cap.

But they had joined the Administration a long time ago, or had made great contributions to the bureau, so their status was not low.

This led to an awkward position for everyone; they couldn't move up or down.

Managing Logic Realm members, they lacked the strength; treating them as ordinary members and ignoring them would chill the hearts of other members.

So, before cutting ties with the Wild Realm, they were put in charge of managing Wild Realm-related affairs, allowing them to have some dignity in the Wild Realm and reality.

At this moment, only twenty-one people had arrived; those who failed to reply should have already died in the Light Society’s pursuit.

Their status could also be seen from their combat power; in the Logic Realm where strength is the truth, the aura of the players in the field was mostly similar to Xu Dejun’s, not yet reaching the Logic Realm’s level cap.

The strongest among them barely had a trace of divine aura in their bodies, just touching the edge of being a demigod, far worse than Heracles.

With such strength, it is no wonder they were chased and killed by two official members of the Light Society.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Xu Dejun briefly introduced Wu Chang to the group, saying that it was thanks to Wu Chang’s help that he had escaped a disaster.

As the people in charge of the Wild Realm, they had long heard of Wu Chang’s existence, and now that they saw him in person, they couldn't help but size him up.

This Peace doesn't have three heads and six arms, so how could he save someone from the hands of the Light Society?

While everyone was sizing up Wu Chang, Wu Chang was also sizing them up.

Of the twenty-one people present, three had Kuafu’s tracking coordinates hanging above their heads.

Being able to survive with Kuafu’s mark on their heads was somewhat suspicious.

But on second thought, if the other party were truly a spy for the Light Society, even if they didn't know Heracles was dead, they should know that Wu Chang could see Kuafu’s tracking coordinates.

Knowing this and still delivering themselves to his door actually suggested their identities were well-prepared.

After listening to Xu Dejun’s introduction, someone in the room with a short temper couldn't help but ask:

"Old Xu, you brought us here in such a hurry; what exactly is the urgent matter?"

Another man, who looked like a pawnshop manager and was wearing a robe covered in golden copper coins, with a wealthy physique, chimed in:

"And you set the place in a safe zone. I’ve already exceeded my limit by four days this month. This trip cost me sixteen thousand Decay Silver Coins, and I don't even know if I can get reimbursed."

Seeing the crowd discussing fervently, Xu Dejun and Wu Chang exchanged a look, then said:

"The reason I have hurriedly gathered you all is to ask Mr. Heping to identify the mole from the Brightness Society hiding among us."

"We had only just learned of the Brightness Society's movements, and immediately after, they sent people to block our path and silence us; if there is no mole, who would believe it?"

Hearing the word "mole," the expressions of the crowd became grave.

The impatient person who spoke first said:

"Catching a mole is indeed urgent, but is a kid from the Wild Realm really up to it?"

"I am not questioning his strength; after all, being able to save Xu Lao from the hands of the Brightness Society must mean he has some methods. But every trade has its master; the Brightness Society's moles are notoriously well-hidden. Even the Order Realm has no means to detect such problems, so is he really capable?"

Wu Chang stood up and said:

"Whether I am capable or not, one try will tell. If I have no way, then the expenses you all paid to come to the Safe Zone will be reimbursed by Xu Lao for free."

The few people present had been dissatisfied, especially the chubby shopkeeper who had undergone four limit-breaks and spent sixteen thousand to enter the Safe Zone; a smile immediately squeezed onto his face.

The crowd said in unison: "Xu Lao is too generous!"

Xu Dejun turned his head to look at Wu Chang, his eyes filled with question marks.

No, this wasn't discussed on the way here.

This group of guys has each limit-broken at least twice; paying for all of them is going to cost him his life.

Xu Dejun's lips twitched a few times, but in the end, he did not veto Wu Chang's proposal, squeezed out a stiff smile, and said to the crowd:

"Just as Mr. Heping said, if you have all made a wasted trip, the travel expenses will be borne by me."

Forget it, spend money to avoid disaster; consider it the ransom money to repay the debt of saving his life.

Most of the members in the room agreed to Xu Dejun's proposal, and even if a few were unwilling, they dared not refuse.

Refusing under these circumstances would inevitably be seen as having a guilty conscience, so they could only cooperate with the investigation.

Wu Chang's detection method was very simple: separate everyone and have them enter individual rooms.

He would enter one by one to question them, and the questions asked were just simple situation surveys.

For example, how they escaped when leaving, whether they had seen any suspicious persons recently, what their views were on this Brightness Society operation, and so on.

The questions were not important; what was important was gaining the opportunity to be alone with them.

In the Order Realm, especially here among the Order Faction, finding a token of the Brightness Society is simply too easy.

He attempted to use the skill "Survivor's Revenge"—"Hatred Mark"—to detect which of them were members of the Brightness Society.

Previously, during the Doom-Stricken dungeon, he had used this move to lock onto Li Zi, and it was very effective.

To ensure everyone was checked in one skill test, Wu Chang's questioning process was fast, and in less than an hour, he had gone through everyone present.

The process went smoothly, but the results were not ideal.

Twenty-one people were alone one by one, and Survivor's Revenge had no reaction.

Just as the impatient one said, the moles cultivated by the Brightness Society in the Order Realm are much harder to deal with than those in the Wild Realm.

But it stands to reason; if an A-rank item from the Wild Realm like "Survivor's Revenge" could easily check for moles in the Order Realm, the Order Faction could have completed an internal purge long ago.

It seems that a method higher than an A-rank item, or even higher than the Order Realm's detection means, is needed to discover the moles.

Does Wu Chang have such a way? He actually does.

Taking advantage of when others were not paying attention, Wu Chang took out the Omniscient Crystal and asked:

"Among those Order Faction members just now, which ones have ghosts in their hearts, and which ones are Brightness Society moles."

The Omniscient Crystal rotated in the air, and a moment later, it gave Wu Chang a list, as well as the suspicious points of the other party.

Wu Chang felt the information in his mind, and the corners of his mouth lifted.

From the very beginning, his reliance was not just "Survivor's Revenge."

His saying that the questions were not important and that he only needed to be alone with them was just to fool Xu Dejun.

The questions he asked were not random; he came prepared, with questions personally formulated by the Omniscient Crystal.

Undoubtedly, as a product suspected to be from the fourth layer of the Abyss, the Omniscient Crystal's abilities far exceed the means of the Order Realm, and even the Brightness Society cannot resist it.

Sorry, this time it really is a cheat.

It's just an officially legal cheat.

After analysis, there were two Brightness Society moles among the twenty-one, and one suspected mole from the Evolution Faction.

The two people with the Kua Fu positioning marks on their heads were indeed not Brightness Society moles.

That they were able to survive was purely due to good luck; Kua Fu didn't have time to hunt them down.

Wu Chang symbolically conducted a second interrogation, and while the two were not paying attention, he crushed the positioning coordinates on their heads.

Afterward, he announced to the crowd that his ability was lacking and he had failed to find the moles, and expressed his apologies to everyone.

Regarding Wu Chang's failure, the crowd was not dissatisfied; even Xu Dejun felt relieved in his heart.

It seems this kid isn't omnipotent; although he can stir up wind and rain in the Wild Realm, he still has to suffer setbacks in the Order Realm.

He is just like them; he can misjudge and he can fail.

The crowd took the initiative to comfort him:

"Mr. Heping has good intentions; it is just that the Brightness Society is too cunning."

"Mr. Heping, do not mind it; helping Xu Lao find the mole is our duty anyway."

Wu Chang gave Xu Dejun a look and said:

"Since that is the case, please follow Xu Lao back to the Order Faction's private space. Today's matter started because of me, so I will naturally pay half of the reimbursed travel expenses."

Receiving Wu Chang's look, Xu Dejun's heart skipped a beat.

No way, could he actually see the Brightness Society moles?

Xu Dejun took the opportunity to choose a large private space of the Order Faction to dispel the crowd's wariness.

The crowd activated the teleportation array, a flash of light, and they entered the large private space.

Before people could see clearly, three people in the room let out a cry and disappeared on the spot, leaving only a puddle of water on the ground.

Along with them disappeared Heping.

The impatient one was stunned for a moment and asked in confusion:

"Xu Lao, what is the meaning of this?"

Xu Dejun smiled bitterly: "I don't know either. Let's trust Mr. Heping first; he will give us an explanation."

"An explanation? Not to mention whether his judgment was right or wrong, if he silences the three of them, how are we supposed to tell the truth from the fake?"

"That's right."

The crowd began to discuss, and they were about to go ask an Order Faction expert in the private space to judge.

Before the crowd could argue out a result, Wu Chang appeared again. With a wave of his hand, he threw out the three half-dead moles, who were delirious from being drenched in Blind Abyss Water.

Looking at Wu Chang, who was calm and didn't even catch his breath, and then looking at the three semi-conscious colleagues on the ground, the crowd fell silent on the spot.

Among the three, two had hideous holes in their abdomens; their protective gear and bodies had been pierced through together, visible from one side to the other.

But the wounds did not look like piercing wounds; they looked more like injuries from the inside out.

The other person didn't bleed, but his limbs were twisted like a twist, and his whole body was twitching uncontrollably, which looked even more horrifying.

Wu Chang scanned the surroundings and said: "Don't worry, I have a sense of proportion; I won't take their lives."

(End of chapter)